Warning! Part of this chapter's content includes sexual assault that some readers may find disturbing! Don't read if this makes you uncomfortable!

Chapter 3

His hot breath was at my ear, panting. The full weight of his body on top of me and the knife once again at my throat. I couldn't move. I wanted to scream, so loud he would have to stop. But of course, he wouldn't, and no one was around to hear my desperate pleas. With every tear that fell down my cheek I became more and more enraged. This situation was horrifying, but I was powerless to stop it.

It will be over soon, I told myself, but what about the next time? And the time after that? Will he ever stop?! I didn't want to cry. I didn't want him to see how much he was hurting me, how much control he had over me, but each tear betrayed me. Crying was all I could do.

As he continued to increase his rhythm I knew it would soon be over. Each rough thrust left me in searing pain; I could feel the blood running down my thighs… it shouldn't have been like this! He had removed the knife at my throat to replace it with his hands, the closer he got, the tighter he grasped. I couldn't breathe; I questioned if this was how it would end? No drawn out torture, just utter and simple suffocation?

Now his grasp on my throat was too tight, no air could pass through. I felt light headed, and my desperate gasps weren't enough. I could feel myself getting weaker, so I fought with everything I had, every last bit of energy in me was focused on breathing.

I felt instant relief as he let go of my throat, but what followed was even worse. His mouth was at my throat, open, ready….I froze. I could feel his razor sharp teeth grazing against my sore skin… would he? I thought his intention was to kill me, to make Edward seek revenge. Would he really do a complete 180 with his plan and…change me?

I had thought of the idea a few times before, being a vampire, being strong and fast and beautiful. I liked the idea. But not like this, never like this.

My heart was beating faster than it had ever before; his teeth were at my throat for what seemed like forever. I stopped trying for breath; all my energies were focused on him. Do it. Don't do it. Just do something! I can't take this any longer!

"Bella! Bella" Edwards voice was urgent. With the sound of his voice my surroundings began to fade away, he brought me out of this nightmare, back to him. I sat up abruptly; I could feel the sweat dripping down my forehead, down my back. My breathing was ragged.

I spent the next few moments focusing on calming myself. It was just a dream, it wasn't real, and it was just a dream... but it was real! It was a memory, and every time I close my eyes I'll see him wont I? I don't want to go back to sleep, I want to be awake forever.

Edward was by my side with his arms around me; his body temperature was having the perfect effect on my heated skin. I rested my head onto his shoulder, breathing deeply, in and out, in and out. One arm of his was around my back, the other around my front, the perfect shield.

"Were you having a nightmare?" he began to question. I nodded against his shoulder, I couldn't speak just yet. "It wasn't real" he soothed "Your safe now." He gently stroked my hair, bringing it away from my face.

It was light outside now, I wouldn't need to go back to sleep, I let out a huge sigh of relief. After I had calmed down Edward began to talk once again. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked, I lifted my head from his shoulder to look him in the eye. I shook my head softly. Speaking about it would make it real, I wanted to forget.

"What am I going to do with you?" he teased. "Make me feel better" I replied simply. He deliberated for a moment before asking "Will breakfast make you feel better?" thats so Edward, always thinking of the simplest solutions, the truth was the simplest solutions were usually the best. I wasn't particularly hungry - the knot in my stomach was all I could feel - but I humoured him anyway, and off he went to his never used kitchen to fix me up a bowl of cheerio's. That's what I need right now, some normality.

Once Edward had made sure I ate every last cheerio I took a long hot shower, spending most of my time just standing under the hot stream of water, letting it wash away last night's dream from my skin. Wrapped up in a luxury soft towel, I returned to Edwards's room to be greeted by my favourite pair of jeans and t-shirt, freshly washed and ironed courtesy of the wonderful Alice. I was so glad she wasn't trying to dress me up like a runway model; right now I didn't have the tolerance.

I was sat on the bed, combing my wet hair through with my fingers when Alice danced gracefully into the room. She smiled her beautiful impish smile and brandished a hair brush in her right hand, "May I?" she asked "im afraid your fingers just aren't going to cut it." I smiled and nodded while she replied with a cheeky wink, how could I say no to her?

Light as a feather she sat down behind me and began to pull the brush through the wet strands. She was so gentle; I barely felt a thing, only a slight tug now and then when a knot blocked the path of the brush. I sensed this wasn't the only reason she was in here, I guessed she wanted to talk, but she stayed silent. After a few minutes my hair was shiny and knot free, that's when Alice chose to start the conversation.

"You do know I love you, don't you Bella?" she began "you're not just my friend; you're like my sister too." I smiled at her confession, I did love Alice too. Of course I did, how could I not?

"I know" I replied "I love you too." Her face relaxed into a smile as she embraced me in a vice tight hug. It was the sort of hug you don't want to end, like when you're saying goodbye and you have to take in every last moment, because you don't know when you'll next be able to hold that person again. Was Alice trying saying goodbye?

"Whatever happens I'll always be here okay? Wherever we are, whatever time of day, just give me a call okay?"

"What could possibly happen? I think the worst is over" I assured her. Her face was full of regret; she was hiding something from me. "Alice, why does this sound like you're saying goodbye?"

"Because I am Bella"… my heart dropped.

"What! Why? Where are you going? Why do you have to leave? I don't want you too!" the questions kept coming like word vomit; I was fighting back tears as I said them. She can't leave me now, I need her!

"Im not going anywhere Bella… you are." She confessed. I was shocked into silence.

After I gathered my thoughts I continued again "Me? Why am I leaving? I can't leave, what about Charlie?" this is ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous! I had no reason to leave, and plus I can't just up and go, I have school and Charlie. This is completely absurd!

"Bella im sorry, Edward will explain everything but you have to go okay? It's for your own safety."

"My safety? How am I not safe? James is dead, you did the honours yourself. Alice I can't just leave!" you could hear the panic in my words. I thought I was safe, Edward said I was safe now, he wouldn't lie to me.

"Edward will explain everything I promise, but you have to go now! It won't be forever, you'll be back real soon okay. And don't worry about Charlie we'll protect him, just please stay calm." She tried to soothe me. It wasn't working.

"Calm? How can I stay calm? You're telling me I have to go away, that im not safe anymore. But Edward said I was safe now Alice, he wouldn't lie to me!" jeez how long was I in the shower for? They seemed to have cooked up a thorough plan during my absence.

"Bella we're just trying to protect you" she said apologetically.

I took a deep breath, calming myself "But what could I possibly be in danger from now? James is dead, everything's okay now." I repeated that in my head. Everything's okay now, everything's okay.

Alice sighed, she knew I was wrong, I knew I was wrong; I just didn't want to admit it. "Edward doesn't want me to tell you…" she paused, debating whether to continue, "…but James had a friend, a mate if you will -"

I interrupted "A red-haired girl, I remember."

"- yes well she's not happy Bella. We killed her mate, and of course she's angry but she wants revenge! She wants you Bella… she wants you dead." … my heart stopped.

Poor Bella, can't get a moments peace.

I tried to handle the flashback as tastefully as I could, I didn't want it to be too graphic, please tell me what you think :-)